Chapter 6
Rachel slid her phone over to me, showing me a news article about Adam's celebration dinner. The headline read: [The youngest medical academician in the state. What's really behind his ten years of hard work?]
There was a paragraph in the article: [Adam's research journey wouldn't have happened without the backing of all kinds of organizations and foundations, especially the Virtue Foundation.
[Their dedicated support for eight years running was the biggest outside boost that got him this far in basic medical research.]
Rachel tapped twice right under that paragraph.
I pushed the phone back to her and took a piece of salmon.
The host started reading out the list of sponsors, one by one, and every time a name was called, the crowd clapped.
When he got to the third name, it was the Virtue Foundation.
The stage lights stayed the same, and the host paused, waiting for the usual round of applause.
The applause began, but something felt off. Someone stood up, not just to clap, but as if he actually had something to say.
I glanced over and saw Stuart standing off to the side of the main table, looking sharp in his suit. He motioned for the waiter to bring him a microphone, took it, and cleared his throat.
The room went quiet, and everyone turned to look at him.
Adam turned his head, still smiling, with that look like, "Not sure what he's gonna say, but it's probably just more congratulations."
Stuart said, "Everyone, thank you for having us tonight. It's an honor for the Virtue Foundation to be part of Adam's big night."
The crowd broke into applause again.
Once the applause faded, he said, "But I have an announcement tonight, and I need to make it official right here."
The room fell completely silent.
Adam's smile wavered for a moment. He lifted his wine glass, then set it back down.
Stuart said, "After a review by the Virtue Foundation's board, all sponsorship agreements for Adam's research projects will be terminated, starting now."
There was a brief hush, then the room erupted in low whispers.
Stuart went on, "According to clause seven of the sponsorship agreements, the sponsor has the right to terminate the agreement at any time.
"The sponsored party must return all unused funds for the current year, 3.2 million dollars in total, plus breach-of-contract damages, which add up to 4 million dollars based on the terms of each agreement. All of this must be done within thirty business days."
Adam shot to his feet.
His face was pale. "Mr. Thomson, what's going on? I haven't heard a word about this."
Stuart replied, "Professor Shaw, the official notice was sent to your administrative email and your lawyer's designated email at 10 am. I'm making it public here, as the contract says."
Kane set his glass down, his expression darkening as he glanced at the seat on the right of the main table, where a seat had been arranged under Adam's name on behalf of the Virtue Foundation.
The leader assigned to that seat was now staring at the plate in front of him, his expression unreadable.
Reece stood up and said, "Mr. Thomson, maybe we could discuss this privately? Tonight's a celebration."
Stuart replied, "Professor Hall, that's why I'm making this announcement now. It's the sponsor's responsibility to clarify things at the official event. The Virtue Foundation won't be supporting any of Adam's projects from now on."
With that, he handed the microphone back to the waiter, straightened his suit, sat back down, and took a sip of his coffee.
The whole room went dead silent.
Adam stood there, the bronze award plaque he'd received catching the light in the hall.
He turned his head, scanning the room, and finally his gaze landed on the third row, on my table, on me.
I was picking up a second piece of salmon when I looked up and met his eyes. I gave him a nod, just a greeting, nothing more.
Mabel covered her mouth, her big eyes fixed on me, her usual dimples nowhere to be seen.
Rachel, sitting next to me, quietly set down her champagne glass. She didn't say a word or crack a smile. She gripped her napkin so tightly it looked like she might tear it.
Adam opened his mouth, like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out.
The host stood on stage, looking around, clearly unsure if he should keep the ceremony going.
Not a single person in the hall of two hundred people touched their food.
Stuart set his cup back down, and the soft clink echoed through the dead-silent room.
Adam was the first to react. He marched straight over to me, his steps fast and purposeful. Mabel called out behind him, but he didn't even pause.
He stopped at my table, leaned in, and said in a low, accusing voice, "Chelsey, this is your doing."
It wasn't a question.
I set my fork down, looked up at him, and said, "Adam, you made the deal with the Virtue Foundation. You signed off on the breach clause yourself. How is any of this my problem?"